Scope and Contents

The Causeries du Lundi records are arranged in seven series: President's books, Anniversary books, Annual Reports, Minutes, Member's Essays and Invitations. The bulk of the records are from 1880 to 1974. The majority of the collection consists of the essays written by Causerie members.

The collection documents the founding and administration of the group, its membership, and papers presented by the Causeries du Lundi. The Rules of Government state protocol and procedures of joining and maintaining membership in the Causeries du Lundi.The President's Books detail membership listings, addresses, schedules, and paper topics. Anniversary books were published in celebration of the passing of the years and provide history of the organization and its members. Annual reports and Minutes detail meeting and hostess information, with synopses of presented papers and ensuing discussion, as well as treasury reports. Member files are arranged alphabetically and contain the essays of the members. Some files may also contain clippings, comments and correspondence relating to the essays.

The Causeries du Lundi records contain many essays by women of prominent New York backgrounds with last names such as Lefferts, Peabody, Roosevelt, Delano, Erving, Pierrepont and Parsons, to name a few. One paper of historical interest was submitted by Mrs. Edward Curtis, whose husband performed Abraham Lincoln's autopsy. She included an article written by her husband in 1926 about the event.